Consumer Associations Warn of Price Hikes in Private Schools
Private School Fees Scrutinized as Registration Renewal Begins
As the registration renewal period for students studying in private schools begins, concerns have been raised about exorbitant fee increases by some institutions. Minister of National Education, Yusuf Tekin, recently addressed these concerns, emphasizing that a regulation has been put in place to prevent schools from charging separate fees for textbooks and to limit fee increases for current students to 5 percent plus the inflation difference.
Consumer associations are also stepping in to assist parents facing unexpected price hikes. Mehmet Bülent Deniz, Chairman of the Consumer Union Federation, highlighted the increase in complaints about private schools, particularly regarding significant price hikes in various fees.
Deniz pointed out instances where parents were required to pay substantial amounts for additional items such as books, food, and activities, in addition to the school fees. He emphasized that these practices go against the regulations set by the Ministry of National Education, which aim to protect parents from excessive financial burdens.
Parents are advised to be vigilant about fee increases and to seek consultation from consumer associations if they encounter unreasonable charges. Consumer arbitration committees have been siding with parents in cases of overcharging by private schools, stressing the importance of adhering to legal regulations.
Levent Küçük, Chairman of the Consumers Association (TÜDER), echoed the need for transparency in fee negotiations with private schools. He emphasized that parents should not be forced to pay fees outside of the education fee and should seek clarification from school administrations before agreeing to any additional charges.
In light of these developments, it is crucial for parents to be aware of their rights and to challenge any unjustified fee increases imposed by private schools. The Ministry of National Education is urged to increase its oversight of private educational institutions to ensure compliance with regulations and to protect parents from financial exploitation. Education should remain a priority over profit-making ventures in the private school sector.
